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Free stretch

On 17 Jun 2018 at 8:19pm Angler wrote:

Anyone had any carp out the free stretch by Tesco?

On 18 Jun 2018 at 6:27am Pike wrote:

What's free about it?

On 18 Jun 2018 at 8:09am Mr Mainwaring wrote:

Stupid boy

On 18 Jun 2018 at 8:48am Towney wrote:

Free means it's not run by any fishing club so you can fish it for free (as long as you have your rod license).
To be honest Angler, i've hardly seen anyone fish the river for years. Back in the 70's the stretch from the brewery to Tesco used to be jam packed. You get the occasional angler doing some trotting as the tide goes out but not that often. Loads of fish in that stretch.

On 18 Jun 2018 at 1:04pm Angler wrote:

Cheers towney, it�s a tough stretch and there�s some decent fish in there just wondered if it�s worth the time/effort baiting up for the carp. Further up at Hamsey there�s some monsters in there. I�ve heard rumours of big 30lb+ being caught opposite Tesco but there stories from many moons ago. Be nice if there was some easy accessible pegs down that stretch

On 18 Jun 2018 at 4:24pm That was when wrote:

you fished from the Phoenix in the lunch break - or from the rail bridge after the service had stopped for good

On 18 Jun 2018 at 9:23pm Remembering the old days wrote:

I caught my first ever fish there using my "winfield young anglers outfit" purchased from Woolies in the Cliffe (where intersport is now) Happy days....

On 19 Jun 2018 at 5:33pm Free Stretch Carper wrote:

Yes, it is worth it, if that is what you want to do. A few pointers.....
1. Never fish alone, the banks are dangerous (see below), so are people. I have been attacked whilst down there fishing.
2.Fish only during darkness. High tide down.
3. Fish a couple of days after a neap tide.
4. prebait for 2 weeks before with heavy groundbait and 20mm boilies. I have got through 50kg doing this. It ain't cheap. Prebait at least once a day, ideally twice, this also gives you an idea of what the tide is doing.
5. Fish the near margin only. the seaweed and telegraph poles coming down the river give great liners. Also your bait won't hold in the main current.
6. Fish heavy. 20lb line and size 4 hooks are the order of the day. Fish simple, these fish very rarely see a rig.
6. Landing fish: Take a ladder and bury upto the first rung in the mud. fishing buddy climbs down to net the fish (SAFETY FIRST PLEASE). Before this a I broke a succession of long match nets trying to bring carp up the mud.
Otherwise get an OAPS ticket for the cost of your 2 weeks bait and fish up river in relative safety, during early mornings and late evenings and be on doubles in 5 minutes if you know where to look.